Hi I have just joined, I have been getting some symptoms which I cannot make sense of and have decided to seek advice here. I have pains in my bones, joint stiffness, ears ringing, dry skin, constipation mixed with diarrhoea (GP given me a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome), feeling cold, weight gain. I take 175mcg Levo and I was diagnosed in 2010. I also have iron anaemia, vit D deficiency, folate deficiency and low B12. Am I right to assume I have Hashimotos?
Any advice welcome!
TSH 4.69 (0.2 - 4.2)
FREE T4 14.7 (12 - 22)
FREE T3 3.5 (3.1 - 6.8)
THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODY 307.4 (<34)
THYROGLOBULIN ANTIBODY 375.3 (<115)
Written by
SKlaire
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Yes, your antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's
Absolutely essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12. And supplement adequately to correct
Always get actual results and ranges. Post results if you have them, members can advise
Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
But don't be surprised that GP or endo never mention gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's is very poorly understood
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
Ask GP for coeliac blood test first. They should have tested for this much earlier than this
Persistent low vitamins with supplements suggests coeliac disease or gluten intolerance
Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine,
"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.
In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l.
Most patients will feel well in that circumstance. But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.
This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."
You can obtain a copy of the articles from Thyroid UK email print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor please email Dionne: tukadmin@thyroiduk.org
Also request list of recommended thyroid specialists
Professor Toft recent article saying, T3 may be necessary for many
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Hashimoto or not?
Hashimotos 
Hashimoto 
Hashimotos?
